Los Angeles County, CA, Biographies
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
WILLIAM H. WINSTON,
deceased, was one of the prominent and representative agriculturists of the San
Gabriel Valley, and was for twenty years identified with its interests. He was a
native of Huntsville, Alabama, born in 1813, and was a descendant of one of the
most prominent families of that State. Be was reared as a farmer and
cotton‑planter, and while in that State devoted the most of his attention to
agricultural pursuits. In 1868 he came to California and located at San Gabriel,
where he purchased 180 acres of land from B. D. Wilson. This land was then in an
uncultivated state, but of deep, rich soil, varied in its character. Mr. Winston
at once commenced its cultivation and improvement, planting orchards and
vineyards, erecting a comfortable cottage home and suitable out-buildings. He
was successful in his enterprise, and soon built up one of the most productive
farms in the valley. At the present writing (1889) this fine farm comprises 160
acres, forty of which are in oranges. There is also a large variety of deciduous
fruits for family use. Considerable land is devoted to vegetable cultivation,
for market purposes. The larger portion, however, is used for hay, grain and
stock purposes. Plenty of water is obtained for irrigation purposes, from
never-failing springs, supplying a large reservoir, from which the water is
conveyed in ditches to the land as required. Mr. Winston died in 1886, leaving a
large circle of friends and acquaintances by whom he was universally respected
and esteemed, and who joined his bereaved family in sincerely mourning his
death. He was a man of broad mind and progressive views. In political matters he
was Democratic, and was a man whose influence was always exerted for what he
considered the best interests of his party. He was a Mason and affiliated with
El Monte Lodge, No. 104, F. & A. M. Mr. Winston was thrice married: First, to
Miss Mary Jones, of Alabama; second, to Miss Mary Winston, also of Alabama; and
his third marriage was with Miss Mary Watts, who was born in Alabama, and is the
daughter of Edwin Watts, a native of Virginia. From the first and second
marriages there are three children living: William, who is a resident of Texas;
Langston, a resident of Pasadena, and Mary, now Mrs. Dillard, residing in
Alabama. From the third marriage there are five children living: Charles, who
married Miss Kate Manning, of Downey; Lyddar, Pettus, Edwin and Alice, all of
whom at this writing (1889) are living with the widow, upon the old homestead.
An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California � Chicago, The Lewis
Publishing Company, 1889 Page 827
Transcribed by Kathy Sedler